News

Inspirational young Muslim-American journalist Noor Tagouri kicks off Rose-Hulman's 2016-17 Diversity Speaker Series with a presentation on Monday, Nov. 7, from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. in the Hatfield Hall Theater. The event is free and open to the public.

Tagouri launched a viral #LetNoorShine campaign in 2012 out of a desire to become the first news anchor to wear a hijab on commercial television, and to inspire others to follow their dreams and break down stereotypes and multicultural barriers. A graduate of the University of Maryland with a degree in broadcast journalism, she became a local news reporter in the metro Washington, D.C., area for CTV News, a blogger for the Huffington Post, an associate journalist and news producer at CBS Radio, and a motivational speaker. She is now an anchor/producer at Newsy, an online video news site, and continues her speaking engagements.

Her travels will bring her to Rose-Hulman to encourage students, faculty, and staff members to realize their own potential in a multi-cultural society, according to Janice Fenn, director of the institute's Center for Diversity. In addition to the evening speech, Tagouri will have small group meetings with Rose-Hulman student leaders and minority students throughout the day.

"Noor brings a fresh perspective to the Muslim-American experience, and she has been successful in creating an inviting space for people to embrace individuality and diversity," says Fenn. "She is serving as an inspiring role model for young women of all faiths and has given a voice to individuals who, because of their differences, have been reluctant to become their own advocates."

As a first-generation Libyan-American, Tagouri's passion for storytelling stems from the desire to expose cultural injustices and combat the challenges facing women on a global scale. She was featured in Playboy magazine's "Renegades of 2016" issue, dedicated to men and women who have broken barriers and taken risks to do what they love.

The Center for Diversity is planning other special events throughout the 2016-17 academic year to showcase how an inclusive campus community with a multiplicity of values, beliefs, intellectual viewpoints, and cultural perspectives enriches the educational experience.